Growth 

Once again, we want to thank you for your prayers and support! The Lord has been very faithful in supporting and guiding us in the mission He called us to! Thank you for partnering with that calling.

We continue to see the Lord work in subtle but significant ways in this new church plant in Palmas. During the last two months, we have started to receive a number of visitors. That first started on Sunday, July 28 when we had 9 visitors representing 5 families. During worship, they just kept appearing. Since then, we have had several visitors over the weeks. Sunday, September 22^nd, we had a family visit for the second time. We’ve had other visitors along the way, but this recent activity has been cold contacts via our social media activity, suggesting we are having some success in communicating the Kingdom in an accessible and relevant way.

Though visitors are important, we know the process of finding a church that aligns with a family’s present needs is a bit of a process. We also know that our current phase as a group is not for everyone. For example, we don’t have an active children’s, youth, or young adult ministry. Even so, our group has been noticeably encouraged, as if they are excited that the group that has become relevant to them is also generating interest among others. 

Please, pray that God will direct the right people towards us, and that we will have the discernment to receive and care for them well.

Transitions

In general, we have been transitioning to a more traditional service setting and format, verses our original home group style. This has been gradual based on the size and needs of our group. A big change was moving from Wednesday to Sunday in April. Now with the constant expectation of visitors, we have moved from our living room to our veranda which allows us to set up chairs in a more traditional congregational style with the preacher now standing, and in front. This change was necessary to allow us to receive visitors more discretely as they come in at various points during the service.

This flux of visitors brings additional confirmation to our sense that we need to find a more commercial setting soon. This has intensified our search for an adequate space to rent. Subtly, these developments have encouraged our existing members and given rise to opportunities for them to take active ownership in the group. We have seen them subtly and naturally seeking to engage and receive visitors and actively express interest and ideas about a future facility. This is all very organic and exciting. The Kingdom is at work!

Outreach

Finally, we recently did our first outreach event as church. We wanted to engage the public in a relevant and natural way. During Father’s Day (in August here) weekend we set up a table at the waterfront park and gently engaged folks while handing out thermal cups to all the fathers and briefly praying for them. The gesture was well received and it was exciting to see our group members present and participating, each one in their own way. 

On a personal note

Recently, we were overjoyed to have our kids come to Brazil for a week of vacation with us at a beach in the State of Pará.  The boys were excited to have their wives enjoy the same beach they experienced during their years in Brazil.  It was a refreshing week of relaxation, conversation, walks together, games, and sand castle building.  Incidentally, their visit occurred during our 20th anniversary of service in Brazil. We feel honored that the family took some vacation time and travel to spend with us.  We also feel honored that God chose us to be a part of what He is doing in Brazil.

Prayer

Please continue praying that God will connect us with key people and give us direction as we seek to guide this group and form a community of Christ followers.

Pray for God’s provision and discernment as we seek a new meeting space for the church.

Blessings in Christ,

Keith and Marsha Wilson